Liquid cooled radiation source with filter

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a liquid cooled radiation source wherein a silicon coolant is made to flow through a chamber at least partially enclosing the radiation source to remove the heat produced by the radiation source. A dye is added to the liquid coolant to act as a filter to remove undesired wavelengths of radiation from the beam leaving the radiation source.

United States Patent 72] Inventor Wayne A. Sdgel 603 Hodapp Ave, Dayton, Ohio 45410 831,693

June 9, 1969 July 27, 1971 1211 Appl.No [221 Filed [451 Patented [54] LIQUID COOLED RADIATION SOURCE WITH 13, l719, 22, 23,25, 28, 35, 36,l10,112,1l3, 116, 232, 3.12, 323, 324, 220; 240/4615, 107;

1,952,306 3/1934 313/23 2,860,236 11/1958 Moore 240/107 X 2,936,387 5/1960 Steele et a] 313/22 2,942,149 6/1960 Levin etal. 313/32 X 3,363,140 H1968 Van Ornum 313/22 X FOREIGN PATENTS 184,347 7/1966 U.S.S.R 313/12 1,052,513 12/1966 Great Britain 313/22 Primary Examiner-Roy Lake Assistant Examiner-E. R. LaRoche Attorneys1-larry A. Herbert, Jr. and Richard J. Killoren ABSTRACT: This invention relates to a liquid cooled radiation source wherein a silicon coolant is made to flow through a chamber at least partially enclosing the radiation source to remove the heat produced by the radiation source. A dye is added to the liquid coolant to act as a filter to remove undesired wavelengths of radiation from the beam leaving the radiation source.

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,790,086 1/1931 Boetstler 313/22 00 171V 7' axe/ram a SI/PFL y LIQUID COOLED RADIATION SOURCE WITH FILTER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In some high energy radiation systems, such as used in night aerial photographic reconnaissance, or night viewing systems, cooling, to dissipate heat generated by the high energy radiation source, is sometimes desirable. With such systems it is necessary to reduce or eliminate all radiation other than that of the wavelengths which match the sensitivity of the detector being used. Air has been used to cool the filter medium in prior art systems, however this has not been entirely satisfactory since it has not eliminated cracking of the filter in all cases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to this invention the filter cracking problem has been overcome by having the light source surrounded by a liquidtight chamber through which a silicone oil coolant flows to carry away the heat produced by the radiation source and by adding an oil soluble dye to the coolant to act as a filter to remove the undesired radiation from the beam leaving the radiation source. The coolant is pumped through the chamber and then to a heat exchanger so that the coolant may be recirculated through the chamber. Before being returned to the chamber the liquid is filtered to remove any solid particles that might form in the liquid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The single FIGURE of the drawing is a schematic diagram partially in block form showing the radiation and protection and filtering system of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Me PIIQMQSIOSRIIOSIPIIZMQ,

to which a dye such as oil red dye having the formula CH CH3 has been added, is supplied to the chamber I8 from supply 20 by means of a pump 22. The coolant after leaving pump 22 is passed through a liquid filter 24, before it is supplied to chamber 18, to remove any solid particles that might be in the liquid. The coolant leaving the chamber 18 is passed through a heat exchanger 26 before it is returned to the liquid supply 20.

In the operation of the device the silicone liquid is pumped from supply 20 through filter 24 and into chamber 18 to cool the radiation source 10. The coolant leaving chamber 18 is passed through the heat exchanger 26 before it is returned to coolant supply 20. The dye in the coolant 21 absorbs substantially all of the undesired wavelengths so that only radiation of the desired wavelengths leave the window 19.

While a particular oil dye has been described any oil soluble dye which will remove undesired wavelengths may be used. Also while all silicone oils are not miscible with all oil dyes any silicone oil may be used which is miscible with the particular dye used. I

There is thus provided a radiation system in which the heat from the radiation source is readily dissipated and wherein undesired wavelengths are substantially eliminated from the an oil soluble dye, miscible with said silicon oil, within said chamber, whereby undesired wavelengths are absorbed; means, including an external flow path with a liquid coolant supply, a pump and a liquid filter between the pump and the chamber, for providing a flow of silicone oil and dye through said chamber; means in the external flow path for removing heat from said silicone oil whereby the dyed silicone oil acts as filter and a coolant for the radiation source.

2. The device as recited in claim 1 wherein said dye is an oil red dye having the formula PI N- CH CH 

2. The device as recited in claim 1 wherein said dye is an oil red dye having the formula 